Recent Opinions

The world is full of unsolved problems. It is also full of problems for which solutions already exist, if we only leverage them. When we slow down for a minute, consider the available options, and more carefully assess the consequences of various modes of action, we have a better chance of directing our efforts where they ought to go–for the good of ourselves and the issues we face.

Matthew Cohen ’18 and Johnathan Bowes ’15 debate whether Puerto Rico should become the 51st state in the United States. Cohen urges us to question the previous votes in Puerto Rico as well as its tremendous debt while Bowes argues the US should respect the will of Puerto Ricans in whatever they choose.

OPINIONS

The Drought and our New Necessity

As an active graduate student in the Stanford community, I am disappointed in Stanford’s handling of the announcement of California’s drought emergency. With the lowest rainfall in the Bay Area in recorded history, snow-pack at less than 20% of normal in the Sierras and reservoirs in Santa Clara County at 3%-capacity as of the end of January, water shortages are imminent. The governor of California has asked residents and businesses alike to curtail water usage in an attempt to reduce use by 20%.

As a leading university in the United States, I believe it is Stanford’s duty not only to academically educate its students but also to teach them to positively influence their greater community. Stanford should announce the drought emergency to its students and give advice about how they can help conserve water. It should set an example by cutting water consumption, perhaps through a reduced grass-watering schedule. It should make students aware and get them involved.

Here is an example of the current mental state of many Stanford students: I was leaving the dining hall one evening with friends after a particularly stressful day, and I asked them what I should do to relax. They told me to enjoy an hour-long shower. I commented that we were in a drought, and I probably shouldn’t do that. They laughed and replied that it didn’t matter since I was just one person and we weren’t paying for the water.

Stanford students are future leaders of America. It takes more than academic intelligence to be a leader, and Stanford has the opportunity to foster a responsible societal attitude in these future leaders. Stanford can start by promoting a constructive response to the drought emergency. It should make students aware of how their water use affects the Stanford community and the greater California community. Be a leader on water conservation.

Submissions

Letters to the editor: E-mail Editor in Chief Joseph Beyda at eic@stanforddaily.com. Signed letters only. Students and alums, please include class year for publication. Non-students, please include city or University affiliation for publication. All: please include evening telephone number (not for publication). Word limit for letters: 500.

Op-eds: E-mail Managing Editor of Opinions Aimee Trujillo at opinions@stanforddaily.com. Students and alums, please include class year for publication. Non-students, please include city or University affiliation for publication. All: please include evening telephone number (not for publication). Word limit for op-eds: 700.

Opinions Columnists

Nick Ahamed The Muckraker

Mark Bessen The Fault in Our Systems

Winston ShiA More Perfect Union

Mysia AndersonEvolving

Johnathan Bowes Super Tuesday

Aimee TrujilloSuper Tuesday

Veronica Anorve Super Tuesday

Neil ChaudharyDouble Take

Mina ShahWednesdays in the World

Raven JiangQuoth the Raven

That’s what we said

This Board is worried by the increasing homogeneity of experience on campus. Stanford University is not doing enough to encourage the creative, wacky, eccentric environment that has made Stanford different — and an oasis — for decades. Rather than following the other prestigious universities, we should chart our own course that pushes students to think differently and act differently, if they so choose. —Vol. 246 Editorial Board